Top 5 Editorial Picks

Five current fishfinders chosen for distinct buyer needs—from compact value to a premium expandable system. These are editorial selections, not Amazon or reader ratings.

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  1. 1
    Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Fishfinder with Transducer - 4-inch LCD Display - Easy-to-Use Scanning Sonar - Color Palettes, 11.2 Ounces (010-02550-00) 4 Inch STRIKER Vivid 4cv Transducer

    Best Compact Value

    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv

    A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.

    • CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar in a compact package
    • A sensible pick when you do not need a chartplotter or SideVü
    • Best fit for budget-conscious small-boat anglers
  2. 2
    Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00) 7 Inch STRIKER Vivid 7sv Transducer

    Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder

    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7sv

    A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.

    • CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar for fish and structure
    • Simple setup with a practical 7-inch screen
    • Strong value for most general boat anglers
  3. 3
    Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv with GT54 Transducer, 7” Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland 7' Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland with GT54 Transducer

    Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade

    Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv

    The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.

    • Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland mapping and touchscreen control
    • Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar
    • A better fit than STRIKER when charts matter
  4. 4
    Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen Display Transducer Included) 9-Inch Display

    Best Side-Imaging Upgrade

    Humminbird XPLORE 9

    A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.

    • MEGA Side Imaging+ and MEGA Down Imaging+
    • 9-inch display with touchscreen and keypad control
    • Recommended configuration: 9-inch, transducer included
  5. 5
    Lowrance HDS PRO Fishfinder/Chartplotter with Smartphone Integration and Preloaded C-MAP U.S. & Canada Charts 10 Inch ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1

    Best Premium Expandable System

    Lowrance HDS PRO 10

    A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.

    • Active Imaging HD and C-MAP charting
    • Wide networking support for integrated electronics
    • Ready to expand with ActiveTarget 2 and the Lowrance ecosystem

Humminbird PiranhaMAX 195c Review

Rating
2.8/5
 
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 195c has an average rating of 2.8 out of 5 based on 5 user reviews.

humminbird_piranhamax195c

Vendor Price
BassPro $169.99
FactoryOutletStore $174.95
ISave $174.95

The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 195c features an easy-to-use interface, depth alarms, fish alarms and smooth zooming capabilities. All you need to do is mount the Humminbird PiranhaMAX 195c, and it displays everything on the Color TFT screen. The PiranhaMAX 195c system utilizes features such as a dual beam, fish ID, sonar beam. The 195c is solidly made hence it can survive accidental falls. The Fish Alarms sound once the fish is detected by the fish finder.

The mechanism behind the Dual Beam is that a narrowly focused middle beam is surrounded by another second beam of 60º. This expands the coverage to an area equal your depth. It means that if you are in a place with 20 feet depth, the wider beam will cover an area 20 feet wide. The middle/center beam is mainly focused on the bottom part of the water; this shows your structure, cover and weeds. The second beam’s main function is to locate and find fish in the wider area of coverage. Both beams can be used independently, but for better, clearer pictures, both are combined for use. Everything going on underneath the boat is brought onto display.

The PiranhaMAX display is nice and readable in bright sunlight. The device is weather resistant and can easily be connected or disconnected without the worry of tangled wires. The mounts are twist and swivel which provide the option for different viewing angles. The screen is vivid and does not reflect objects within its field of view.

Fish ID utilizes very advanced processing technology to translate/decode what the sonar returns. Once interpreted the display shows fish symbols when selective requirements are met. A Fish icon and its depth are displayed when the fish is detected. There are three different fish icons that represent the varying intensities of the sonar returns, this provides the relative fish size. The Dual Beam in the PiranhaMAX 195c represents targets that are within the 200 kHz beam and for this, Orange Fish symbols will be displayed on the screen. Fish symbols detected in the 83 kHz zone will be displayed as Blue.

You can get a great deal on Humminbird PiranhaMAX 195c here.

 
 
 Garmin Echo 300cHumminbird PiranhaMax 195c
garmin_300chumminbird345cdi
Screen Size3.5 in / 89 mm3.5 in / 89 mm
Screen Resolution320 x 240 pixels320 x 240 pixels
Display TypeQVGA, 256 colors256 colors
Imaging2D2D
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit Power300W RMS
2400W Peak-To-Peak
200W RMS
1600W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 200/77 kHz200/455 kHz 2D
Maximum Depth1500 ft600 ft 2D
MSRP$219$169
ReviewReview

User Reviews

Posted by Norman_Muskie

  • 5/5
5

I picked this unit because it was cheapest color fishfinder I could find and I’m not disappointed. This is a very solid sonar at very good price.

Posted by jimmyD

  • 5/5
5

You will be impressed what this little unit can do. The screen is very readable even though it’s small. The fishfinder allows to select ping speed which is a great feature for a budget sonar.

Posted by James

  • 2/5
2

This was my first depth finder purchase and I have to say I’m disappointed, I got fooled by the positive reviews on the internet. The fishfinder gets confused at higher speeds and higher depth. This could be because I installed it incorrectly, I put the transducer near the propeler. And to make matters worse the display is small and not easily readable.

Posted by jack c.

  • 1/5
1

Bought my Humminbird 197c at Walmart rigged it on my kayak and went fishing off long beach ca where it worked like a dream. Then the second time I went out it will not work it has a message of “transducer is not connected” I checked all connections changed battery and finally removed it and tried it in the water without the kayak still not working. Factory techs gave me some things to try still not working. Unless some one can tell me how to fix it its junk.

Posted by RON HOME

  • 1/5
1

THE FIRST TIME I USED IT IT WORKED GREAT
INSTALLED BY PROS AT TIME OF BOAT PURCHASE
IF THE BOAT WENT FAST IT GOT LOST WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THE OTHER HUMMINGBIRD I HAVE ON ANOTHER BOAT
THIS ONE ALSO WOULD JUST LOCK UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT GOING IS TO UNPLUG AND PLUG IT IN
IT WOULD LOCK UP AT ANY TIME
NO REASON
I HAVE TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE I HAVE TO NAVIGATE A RIVER TO THE LAKE
AND DO NOT WANT TO GET STUCK

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